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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> First SLR lens setup
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07/15/2006 02:08:34 AM · #1
I'm looking into getting my first SLR, and am wading through the information on the many lens options.

There are a few 18-200mm lenses around, and I'm liking the look of these, but I've heard people say bad things about long zooms. Note that I'm not a professional, and very few if any of my photos will get enlarged beyond A4. My main reason for getting an SLR is for the picture quality better than a P&S, and to get better portrait shots, but I also do some long lens water sports photography. I'm looking forward to getting much lower noise photos, with better low-light performance and narrower DOF.

I'm probably looking at the Canon 350D, but haven't decided for sure yet. Other Canon's and Nikon's are also possibilities, but that's a seperate discussion.

I'm migrating from a Panasonic FZ5, so I'm really appreciating the flexibility of the long zoom (35-450), and don't want to step backwards when I move to an SLR. I also like the size of the 350D - I know some people prefer the larger body SLRs, but like I said, I'm not a pro, and I like the convenience of a smaller camera.

My main questions are...
1) Will the 18-200mm (Sigma, Tamron) be worse than the Canon 18-55 kit lens at the wide end?
2) Will the 18-200mm still perform significantly better than my FZ5 superzoom in terms of focus accuracy and low-light performance?
3) Does anyone make a DSLR superzoom with USM, or are the superzooms only for lower-class people who don't know what USM means? :)

I will probably also get the 50mm 1.8 for dedicated portrait use, but for general purpose stuff, I like the flexibility and convenience of a single lens. When I borrowed a friends DSLR, I found I was forever changing back and forth between the 18-55 and the 70-300. Having a single lens should also help protect against sensor dust.

So, any comments will be appreciated. Thanks!
07/15/2006 02:14:25 AM · #2
Originally posted by surfdabbler:

Having a single lens should also help protect against sensor dust.


Sony Alpha and the Olympus cameras have sensor dust mechanisms. Sony Alpha and the new Pentax K100D have built in Image stabilization, so it makes all lenses IS.

Message edited by author 2006-07-15 02:16:16.
07/16/2006 08:29:26 AM · #3
I found an advert today, for the Nikon D200, and it comes with the Tamron 18-200 as a kit lens. If they are selling the D200 with this as a 'kit' lens, then it can't be too bad. :)
07/16/2006 08:39:08 AM · #4
A 14-45mm and 45-150mm lens came with my Oly. The 150mm is what I use the most and the 45mm is perfect for portraits although I tend to use the 150mm for portraits more since.
I'm saving up for a Nikon because I don't have many reasonable lens options for my camera right now. I do a lot of landscape and wild animal photography and I really need a 300mm telephoto for that. The cheapest I've found for my Oly is 5,000 on ebay.

Not sure what Nikon I'll be buying when the time comes. I like the D200 but I'm not a pro either and really don't need all that camera. I really like the D70 and it's a lot lighter then the D200 lol.

Anyhow, I've found that my 150mm is great for zooming in on things as long as they are within range of course and the picture quality still remains good. I've though of selling it and getting the 200mm but haven't taken that step yet.
07/16/2006 09:38:04 AM · #5
If you go with Canon I would suggest two lenses The 28-135 IS USM and the 70-300 IS USM both are good and at a lower price point. It is going to be hard tp replace the 400+ range of the Pana without droping a tone of money. There is the 100-400 L or the 70-200l 2.8 but you would need a teleconverter to achieve the range with it.
07/16/2006 09:55:25 AM · #6
If you want a large zoom range and an extremely long reach, one of the better lenses to consider might be the Sigma 50-500. Fitted with HSM (Sigma's version of USM), it should focus quite fast, too. The only trouble is hand-holding it in less than bright light. The 80-400 comes with an optical image stabilisation mechanism, but is rather slow focussing. Both of these lenses get quite good reviews regarding sharpness and general image quality.
07/16/2006 10:05:31 AM · #7
Sony A100 + Tokina 16-50 f/2.8 and Sigma 50-500.

Yum. Not sure if there's an alpha mount Bigma though...

Oh and the A100 is going to be around 800 bucks cheaper than the D200...

Another option might be that Tokina 80-400...

Message edited by author 2006-07-16 10:06:08.
07/16/2006 10:10:37 AM · #8
If I had to tell you I learned one thing (there's a ton more though) being a member on DPC. It's that you can't beat good glass. I bought some cheaper glass and 'paid' for it.

I saw a photographer at the racetrack using a Canon with the Sigma 50-500. I don't think he zoomed closer than 170mm, so I imagine 500mm can reach QUITE a ways. He loves the lens, but it does get heavy after a while if not using a tripod. So he told me...
07/16/2006 10:11:26 AM · #9
Originally posted by coronamv:

If you go with Canon I would suggest two lenses The 28-135 IS USM and the 70-300 IS USM both are good and at a lower price point. It is going to be hard tp replace the 400+ range of the Pana without droping a tone of money. There is the 100-400 L or the 70-200l 2.8 but you would need a teleconverter to achieve the range with it.


I'm think I'm correct in saying that the 400+mm stated for the Pana is an estimate made in 35mm terms, so if you're looking at the 350D, then when you take into consideration the crop factor the 70-300 is going to be pretty close to your Pana at the long end.
07/16/2006 10:14:56 AM · #10
Quite so.

On a Nikon/Konkica Minolta/Pentax, you will get a 1.5X crop.

300mm lens = 450mm equiv. (sigma 70-300 = 220 bucks)
400mm lens = 600mm equiv. (Tokina 80-400 = 650 bucks)
500mm lens = 750mm equiv. (Bigma 50-500 = 900 bucks)

That is LOADS of reach.
07/16/2006 10:26:44 AM · #11
I think most photographers would tell you to put your money in the lenses you get rather than the camera itself. I am an advanced amateur, but the I find the more expensive DSLR have features I will probably never use. Anyway, I know I'm not ready for them now. I recently switched from Nikon to Canon when I bought my Digital Rebel XT. I had every intention of getting a 20D, but got such a good deal on a slightly used XT that I couldn't pass it up. In my mind I basically gave up a little speed in processing for several hundred dollars. It hasn't impacted the shots I take. I think you would be very happy with the zoom lenses, but I would go with the highest quality lens you can afford. I primarily do nature photography and since I only use one DSLR body, I find that I am constantly changing lenses. If you go to fixed long lenses, you will find yourself changing lenses even more frequently. I have owned both Tamron and Sigma lenses and while they are good, I decided to stick with the Canon L series lenses for most of what I do. I haven't been disappointed yet!
07/18/2006 04:07:46 AM · #12
Hey surfdabbler!
Fellow Brisbane boy here. I think that you would be happy with the 350D, But as other people have said, I would lean towards some good qulality Glass, at least the EF-S USM series zoom lens and a fixed 90mm to 120mm portrait lens (if you are leaning towards this style of photography
07/18/2006 04:24:05 AM · #13
If you are after reasonable priced lenses there is a Sydney company that has good prices. You will find some others that are slightly cheaper (internet companies operating out of Sydney) but there is a problem with their warrenties. The company will give you 12 months but canon and Tamron wont.
The company is //www.ccccamerahouse.com.au/store/index.asp
07/18/2006 07:11:24 AM · #14
If you decide to go buy Sigma lenses.....try HERE. Cheaper than most by, usually, around $30-$75.
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